“Every time I spoke to Tia she was crying and wanting me - I just couldn’t get to her.

“They helped me to keep calm.

“One of the men got into a harness, he went down and put a tarpaulin underneath Tia and they hoisted her up.

“When they had got her out she looked at the firemen and wagged her tail as if to say thank you.

“I can’t thank them enough.

“I am just glad she was walking and hadn’t broken any bones.”

She then had to pick up her sons George 13 and Harry, 8 from school.

“They absolutely adore Tia and they just sat and cuddled her,” said Jean.

“She stank horribly and needed a bath, but they didn’t care.

“I took her to the vet - she’s got a few grazes and bruises and she’s on antibiotics, but she’s OK.”

“I go sledging down there with the boys. If it had been a child who had fallen down there it doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Station Manager Stuart Ruckledge, who attended the incident, said the top of the manhole cover had been twisted due to the concrete being damaged, leaving the hole exposed.

The cover was partially covered by snow.

He said: “Tia has been very lucky and despite falling approximately ten feet has escaped with just a small cut to her leg. Had the drain been a main sewer, the rescue could have been more complicated to carry out and, of course, if it had been Mrs Rack or another person who had become trapped, the consequences could have been much more serious.

“I would urge everyone to take extra care when out and about at this time of year, particularly if there is snow on the ground or if the light is failing, as you can’t always tell what the snow is concealing or what hazards lie ahead.

“I would also advise people that if a pet does get into difficulty they should call 999 and ask for the fire service.

“Our crews have specialist equipment and have been trained in animal rescue, and we would rather put those skills to use than see pet owners putting themselves at risk by attempting to carry out a rescue themselves.”

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